The Baxter Inn

The Baxter Inn is a basement bar in the heart of the city, hidden down a laneway off Clarence Street and easy to miss if you do not know where to look. Once inside, the low lighting, dark wood and long bar give it the feel of an old-fashioned saloon, and the room fills up quickly with office workers, locals and visitors in the evenings.

Whisky is the speciality. The shelves behind the fairy-lit bar hold more than 360 bottles, from distilleries around the world. Bartenders, dressed in classic braces, know the list well and can guide you towards something to suit your taste or budget. Purists order their whisky neat, but there are also cocktails, beer and a good list of Australian wines, with a particular strength in Shiraz.

Bookings and enquiries are handled through the Swillhouse website. The bar works mostly on a walk-in basis, and on Friday and Saturday nights queues can form on the street, so arriving earlier in the evening is a good idea. Opening hours are listed on the bar's website.

The atmosphere is busy and convivial rather than quiet, and the room can get loud at peak times, which suits groups of friends more than a private conversation. Dress is casual. If you are new to whisky, ask for a recommendation and consider trying a small pour of a few different styles rather than a single large measure. Prices vary widely across the whisky list, from accessible everyday pours to rare bottles, so check the price before ordering something unfamiliar.

The Baxter Inn suits whisky enthusiasts, groups of friends and anyone looking for a lively city bar with character. It is also a good place to start or finish an evening in the central business district, as many other bars and restaurants are within walking distance. It is best suited to adults who enjoy a busy bar scene.

Clarence Street is a few minutes' walk from Wynyard and Town Hall stations. Look for the laneway entrance and follow the stairs down to the basement. The bar is close to Barangaroo, the Queen Victoria Building and Darling Harbour, all of which make good places to eat before or after a drink. Disabled access is available; contact the venue for details.